Tunisia hunts former president
Source: Agencies |
January 27, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TUNISIA has issued an international arrest warrant for ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, saying he took money out of the North African nation illegally.
Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia after being driven from power this month by violent protests, is also charged with illegally acquiring real estate and other assets abroad, Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said yesterday.
Tunisia is also seeking the arrest of Ben Ali's wife, Leila, as well as other family members. French media have reported that Leila left the country with millions in gold bullion.
Ben Ali, his wife and their clan have been widely accused of abusing their power to enrich themselves. In France, where family members are believed to have assets ranging from apartments to racehorses, the Paris prosecutors' office has opened a preliminary investigation into their holdings.
The former president fled on January 14 after 23 years in power, pushed out by weeks of protests driven by anger over joblessness, repression and corruption. His swift departure was followed by riots, looting and unrest.
Yesterday, the justice minister released figures that highlighted the massive scope of that unrest. Some 11,029 prisoners - about a third of the country's prison population - were able to escape amid the chaos, he said.
Of those, 1,532 prisoners are back behind bars, he said. Another 74 prisoners died in fires at several prisons.
Chebbi spoke to reporters as police fired tear gas at protesters who have been pressuring the interim government to get rid of ministers who served under Ben Ali.
The clashes broke out in front of the prime minister's office in Tunis. Some demonstrators responded by throwing stones at police.
Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia after being driven from power this month by violent protests, is also charged with illegally acquiring real estate and other assets abroad, Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said yesterday.
Tunisia is also seeking the arrest of Ben Ali's wife, Leila, as well as other family members. French media have reported that Leila left the country with millions in gold bullion.
Ben Ali, his wife and their clan have been widely accused of abusing their power to enrich themselves. In France, where family members are believed to have assets ranging from apartments to racehorses, the Paris prosecutors' office has opened a preliminary investigation into their holdings.
The former president fled on January 14 after 23 years in power, pushed out by weeks of protests driven by anger over joblessness, repression and corruption. His swift departure was followed by riots, looting and unrest.
Yesterday, the justice minister released figures that highlighted the massive scope of that unrest. Some 11,029 prisoners - about a third of the country's prison population - were able to escape amid the chaos, he said.
Of those, 1,532 prisoners are back behind bars, he said. Another 74 prisoners died in fires at several prisons.
Chebbi spoke to reporters as police fired tear gas at protesters who have been pressuring the interim government to get rid of ministers who served under Ben Ali.
The clashes broke out in front of the prime minister's office in Tunis. Some demonstrators responded by throwing stones at police.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
